CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 11:44 Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without even noticing."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/11-44.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/42_Luk_11_44.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 11:44 - Woes to Religious Leaders" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without even noticing." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/luke/11-44.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/luke/11-44.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/luke/">Luke</a> > <a href="/luke/11.htm">Chapter 11</a> > Verse 44</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/luke/11-43.htm" title="Luke 11:43">◄</a> Luke 11:44 <a href="/luke/11-45.htm" title="Luke 11:45">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/luke/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/luke/11.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which people walk over without knowing it.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/luke/11.htm">New Living Translation</a> Yes, what sorrow awaits you! For you are like hidden graves in a field. People walk over them without knowing the corruption they are stepping on.” <a href="/esv/luke/11.htm">English Standard Version</a> Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.” <a href="/bsb/luke/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without even noticing.” <a href="/blb/luke/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Woe to you, for you are like unmarked graves, and the men walking above have not known it." <a href="/kjv/luke/11.htm">King James Bible</a> Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them. <a href="/nkjv/luke/11.htm">New King James Version</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.” <a href="/nasb_/luke/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Woe to you! For you are like unseen tombs, and the people who walk over them are unaware of it.” <a href="/nasb/luke/11.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Woe to you! For you are like concealed tombs, and the people who walk over them are unaware of it.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/luke/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Woe to you! For you are like concealed tombs, and the people who walk over them are unaware of it.” <a href="/lsb/luke/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Woe to you! For you are like concealed tombs, and the people who walk over them are unaware of it.” <a href="/amp/luke/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Woe to you! For you are like graves which are unmarked, and people walk over them without being aware of it [and are ceremonially unclean].” <a href="/csb/luke/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “Woe to you! You are like unmarked graves; the people who walk over them don’t know it.” <a href="/hcsb/luke/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220Woe to you! You are like unmarked graves; the people who walk over them don&#8217t know it.&#8221 <a href="/asv/luke/11.htm">American Standard Version</a> Woe unto you! for ye are as the tombs which appear not, and the men that walk over them know it not. <a href="/cev/luke/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But you are in for trouble! You are like unmarked graves that people walk on without even knowing it. <a href="/erv/luke/11.htm">English Revised Version</a> Woe unto you! for ye are as the tombs which appear not, and the men that walk over them know it not. <a href="/gwt/luke/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> How horrible it will be for you! You are like unmarked graves. People walk on them without knowing what they are." <a href="/gnt/luke/11.htm">Good News Translation</a> How terrible for you! You are like unmarked graves which people walk on without knowing it." <a href="/isv/luke/11.htm">International Standard Version</a> How terrible it will be for you! You are like unmarked graves—people walk on them without realizing it." <a href="/msb/luke/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without even noticing.? <a href="/net/luke/11.htm">NET Bible</a> Woe to you! You are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without realizing it!" <a href="/nheb/luke/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Woe to you. For you are like hidden graves, and the people who walk over them do not know it." <a href="/wbt/luke/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them. <a href="/wey/luke/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Alas for you! for you are like the tombs which lie hidden, and the people who walk over them are not aware of their existence." <a href="/web/luke/11.htm">World English Bible</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like hidden graves, and the men who walk over them don’t know it.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/luke/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you are as the unseen tombs, and the men walking above have not known.” <a href="/blb/luke/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Woe to you, for you are like unmarked graves, and the men walking above have not known it." <a href="/ylt/luke/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because ye are as the unseen tombs, and the men walking above have not known.' <a href="/slt/luke/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as concealed tombs, and men walking above know not.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/luke/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Woe to you, because you are as sepulchres that appear not, and men that walk over are not aware. <a href="/cpdv/luke/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Woe to you! For you are like graves that are not noticeable, so that men walk over them without realizing it.” <a href="/nabre/luke/11.htm">New American Bible</a> Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.” <a href="/nrsvce/luke/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without realizing it.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/luke/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like graves that cannot be recognized, and men walk over them and know it not. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, phonies, who are like tombs that are not known, and the children of men walk over them and do not know.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/luke/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like graves that are not seen; and men that walk over them know it not.<CM> <a href="/godbey/luke/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Woe unto you! because you are like tombs unseen, and men walking over them do not know it.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/luke/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Wo unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves concealed, which men, while walking over them, see not.<CM> <a href="/mace/luke/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a> wo unto you: for you resemble subterraneous monuments, which men walk over, without perceiving them. <a href="/wey/luke/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Alas for you! for you are like the tombs which lie hidden, and the people who walk over them are not aware of their existence." <a href="/worrell/luke/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>Woe to you! because ye are as the unobserved tombs; and the men, walking over them, know it not."<Fr> <a href="/worsley/luke/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>Wo unto you scribes and pharisees, hypocrites; for ye are like graves that do not appear, and those that walk over <Fr>them<FR> are not aware <Fr>of them. <a href="/parallel/luke/11-44.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=4850" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/luke/11.htm">Woes to Religious Leaders</a> …43Woe to you Pharisees! You love the chief seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces. 44<a href="/greek/3759.htm" title="3759: ouai (I) -- Woe!, alas!, uttered in grief or denunciation. A primary exclamation of grief; woe.">Woe</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">to you!</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">For</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: este (V-PIA-2P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">you are</a> <a href="/greek/5613.htm" title="5613: hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.">like</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-NNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/82.htm" title="82: adēla (Adj-NNP) -- Unseen, not obvious, inconspicuous, indistinct. Hidden, figuratively, indistinct.">unmarked</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-NNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3419.htm" title="3419: mnēmeia (N-NNP) -- A tomb, sepulcher, monument. From mneme; a remembrance, i.e. Cenotaph.">graves,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">which</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpoi (N-NMP) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">men</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4043.htm" title="4043: peripatountes (V-PPA-NMP) -- From peri and pateo; to tread all around, i.e. Walk at large; figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow.">walk</a> <a href="/greek/1883.htm" title="1883: epanō (Adv) -- From epi and ano; up above, i.e. Over or on.">over</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">without</a> <a href="/greek/1492.htm" title="1492: oidasin (V-RIA-3P) -- To know, remember, appreciate. ">even noticing.”</a> 45One of the experts in the law told Him, “Teacher, when You say these things, You insult us as well.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Matthew 23:27</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. <a href="/matthew/23-28.htm">Matthew 23:28</a> In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. <a href="/isaiah/65-4.htm">Isaiah 65:4</a> sitting among the graves, spending nights in secret places, eating the meat of pigs and polluted broth from their bowls. <a href="/numbers/19-16.htm">Numbers 19:16</a> Anyone in the open field who touches someone who has been killed by the sword or has died of natural causes, or anyone who touches a human bone or a grave, will be unclean for seven days. <a href="/psalms/5-9.htm">Psalm 5:9</a> For not a word they speak can be trusted; destruction lies within them. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. <a href="/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13</a> “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.” <a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a> Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” <a href="/matthew/23-24.htm">Matthew 23:24</a> You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. <a href="/ezekiel/13-10.htm">Ezekiel 13:10</a> Because they have led My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and whitewashing any flimsy wall that is built, <a href="/ezekiel/13-11.htm">Ezekiel 13:11</a> tell those whitewashing the wall that it will fall. Rain will come in torrents, I will send hailstones plunging down, and a windstorm will burst forth. <a href="/ezekiel/13-12.htm">Ezekiel 13:12</a> Surely when the wall has fallen, you will not be asked, ‘Where is the whitewash with which you covered it?’ <a href="/ezekiel/13-13.htm">Ezekiel 13:13</a> Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: In My wrath I will release a windstorm, and in My anger torrents of rain and hail will fall with destructive fury. <a href="/ezekiel/13-14.htm">Ezekiel 13:14</a> I will tear down the wall you whitewashed and level it to the ground, so that its foundation is exposed. The city will fall, and you will be destroyed within it. Then you will know that I am the LORD. <a href="/ezekiel/13-15.htm">Ezekiel 13:15</a> And after I have vented My wrath against the wall and against those who whitewashed it, I will say to you: ‘The wall is gone, and so are those who whitewashed it— <a href="/ezekiel/13-16.htm">Ezekiel 13:16</a> those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw a vision of peace for her when there was no peace, declares the Lord GOD.’</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.for.<a href="/numbers/19-16.htm">Numbers 19:16</a> And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.<a href="/psalms/5-9.htm">Psalm 5:9</a> For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.<a href="/hosea/9-8.htm">Hosea 9:8</a> The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/11-43.htm">Alas</a> <a href="/luke/9-8.htm">Appear</a> <a href="/luke/9-11.htm">Aware</a> <a href="/luke/9-45.htm">Concealed</a> <a href="/luke/11-43.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/luke/10-30.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-24.htm">Existence</a> <a href="/matthew/27-53.htm">Graves</a> <a href="/luke/11-33.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/mark/7-6.htm">Hypocrites</a> <a href="/mark/10-19.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/luke/11-43.htm">Pharisees</a> <a href="/luke/9-58.htm">Resting-Places</a> <a href="/luke/9-22.htm">Scribes</a> <a href="/matthew/23-29.htm">Sepulchres</a> <a href="/luke/8-27.htm">Tombs</a> <a href="/luke/2-43.htm">Unaware</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-19.htm">Unmarked</a> <a href="/matthew/6-18.htm">Unseen</a> <a href="/luke/7-23.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/luke/9-57.htm">Walking</a> <a href="/luke/11-43.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/luke/11-43.htm">Woe</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/11-46.htm">Alas</a> <a href="/luke/19-11.htm">Appear</a> <a href="/luke/12-46.htm">Aware</a> <a href="/luke/12-2.htm">Concealed</a> <a href="/luke/11-46.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/luke/15-24.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/john/1-3.htm">Existence</a> <a href="/john/5-28.htm">Graves</a> <a href="/luke/12-2.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/luke/12-56.htm">Hypocrites</a> <a href="/luke/13-29.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/luke/11-53.htm">Pharisees</a> <a href="/luke/11-47.htm">Resting-Places</a> <a href="/luke/11-53.htm">Scribes</a> <a href="/luke/11-47.htm">Sepulchres</a> <a href="/luke/11-47.htm">Tombs</a> <a href="/luke/24-18.htm">Unaware</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-19.htm">Unmarked</a> <a href="/luke/24-31.htm">Unseen</a> <a href="/luke/13-33.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/luke/24-13.htm">Walking</a> <a href="/luke/11-47.htm">Wo</a> <a href="/luke/11-46.htm">Woe</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 11</div>1. <a href="/luke/11-1.htm">Jesus teaches us to pray, and that instantly;</a> 11. <a href="/luke/11-11.htm">assuring us that God will give all good things to those who ask him.</a> 14. <a href="/luke/11-14.htm">He, casting out a demon, rebukes the blasphemous Pharisees;</a> 27. <a href="/luke/11-27.htm">and shows who are blessed;</a> 29. <a href="/luke/11-29.htm">preaches to the people;</a> 37. <a href="/luke/11-37.htm">and reprimands the outward show of holiness.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Woe to you! This phrase is a pronouncement of judgment or condemnation. In biblical context, "woe" is often used by prophets to declare divine displeasure and impending judgment. Jesus uses this term to address the Pharisees and experts in the law, highlighting their hypocrisy and spiritual blindness. The use of "woe" connects to Old Testament prophetic literature, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah, where similar language is used to call out the sins of Israel.For you are like unmarked graves, In Jewish culture, graves were considered unclean, and contact with them would render a person ceremonially unclean (<a href="/numbers/19-16.htm">Numbers 19:16</a>). An unmarked grave posed a hidden danger, as people could become defiled unknowingly. Jesus compares the Pharisees to these graves, suggesting that their influence leads others into spiritual impurity without their awareness. This metaphor underscores the hidden nature of their hypocrisy and the unseen impact of their teachings.which men walk over without even noticing.” This phrase emphasizes the subtle and insidious nature of the Pharisees' influence. People interact with them and their teachings without realizing the spiritual harm being done. The imagery of walking over graves without noticing highlights the danger of spiritual complacency and the need for discernment. This connects to Jesus' broader teaching on the importance of inner purity over outward appearances, as seen in <a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Matthew 23:27-28</a>, where He criticizes the Pharisees for being like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but full of dead bones inside.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, addressing the Pharisees and experts in the law. Jesus often used strong language to confront hypocrisy and false piety. 2. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a> A religious group in Judaism known for strict adherence to the law and traditions. They are often criticized by Jesus for their hypocrisy and legalism. 3. <a href="/topical/e/experts_in_the_law.htm">Experts in the Law (Scribes)</a> These were scholars and teachers of the Jewish law, often associated with the Pharisees. They were responsible for interpreting and teaching the law to the people. 4. <a href="/topical/u/unmarked_graves.htm">Unmarked Graves</a> A metaphor used by Jesus to describe the hidden corruption and spiritual death of the Pharisees. In Jewish culture, contact with a grave made a person ceremonially unclean. 5. <a href="/topical/c/ceremonial_uncleanness.htm">Ceremonial Uncleanness</a> A state of impurity according to Jewish law, which required purification rituals. Walking over a grave unknowingly would make a person unclean without their awareness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/h/hypocrisy_in_religious_practice.htm">Hypocrisy in Religious Practice</a> Jesus warns against the danger of appearing righteous outwardly while harboring sin and corruption within. True faith requires integrity and sincerity. <a href="/topical/a/awareness_of_spiritual_influence.htm">Awareness of Spiritual Influence</a> Just as unmarked graves could defile unknowingly, hidden sin and hypocrisy can negatively influence others. Believers must be vigilant about their spiritual impact. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_inner_purity.htm">The Importance of Inner Purity</a> God desires purity of heart over mere external compliance with religious rituals. Believers should focus on cultivating a genuine relationship with God. <a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a> Regular self-examination and repentance are crucial to avoid the pitfalls of hypocrisy. Believers should seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to reveal hidden sins. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_teachers_and_leaders.htm">The Role of Teachers and Leaders</a> Those in positions of spiritual authority must lead by example, ensuring their lives reflect the teachings they espouse.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 11</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_anointing_in_1_john_2_20,_27.htm">What is known about Chorazin and Bethsaida?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_the_bible_view_lawyers.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on lawyers?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_jesus_resurrect.htm">What was the purpose of Jesus' resurrection?</a> <a href="/q/was_tyre_rebuilt_after_destruction.htm">What does it mean to be pharisaical?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(44) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!--The better MSS. give simply, Woe unto you, Pharisees, (See Note on <a href="/matthew/23-27.htm" title="Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like to white washed sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.">Matthew 23:27</a>.)Ye are as graves which appear not.--The comparison, though drawn from the same object, presents a different phase of it. In St. Matthew the contrast is between the whitened surface and the decaying bones within. Here the whitewash is worn out, and there is nothing to distinguish the graves, and men walk over them without knowing what lies below the surface.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 44. - Ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them. Here and in St. Matthew the same imagery was present in the great Teacher's mind - the whitewashed tombs of a cemetery. But in the report of St. Matthew the Master's picture drew a sharp contrast between the fair outward appearance of the clean white tomb, and the decaying, loathsome mass of what represented poor humanity within! When Jesus spoke the saying related by St. Luke here, the imagery was still drawn from the graves in a cemetery; but now he compared his hosts and their school of thought to graves, from the wood and stones of which the whitewash was worn off, and passers-by would walk over them, thus touching them and contracting ceremonial defilement, without being conscious what they were walking over and touching. All contact with sepulchres involved ceremonial defilement; hence the fact of their being constantly whitewashed in order to warn passers-by of their presence. This silent warning of the graves has been compared to the leper's cry, "Unclean, unclean!" with which he warned passers-by of his sad defiling presence. These tombs were whitewashed usually yearly on the fifteenth day of the month Adar (about the beginning of March). Tiberius on the lake was built partly on the site of an old unsuspected cemetery; no true Jew would reside there in consequence. <a href="/commentaries/luke/11-44.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Woe οὐαὶ (ouai) Interjection <a href="/greek/strongs_3759.htm">Strong's 3759: </a> Woe!, alas!, uttered in grief or denunciation. A primary exclamation of grief; 'woe'. to you! ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. For ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. you are ἐστὲ (este) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. like ὡς (hōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. unmarked ἄδηλα (adēla) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_82.htm">Strong's 82: </a> Unseen, not obvious, inconspicuous, indistinct. Hidden, figuratively, indistinct. graves, μνημεῖα (mnēmeia) Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3419.htm">Strong's 3419: </a> A tomb, sepulcher, monument. From mneme; a remembrance, i.e. Cenotaph. [which] καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. men ἄνθρωποι (anthrōpoi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. walk across περιπατοῦντες (peripatountes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4043.htm">Strong's 4043: </a> From peri and pateo; to tread all around, i.e. Walk at large; figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow. without οὐκ (ouk) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. [even] noticing.” οἴδασιν (oidasin) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1492.htm">Strong's 1492: </a> To know, remember, appreciate. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/11-44.htm">Luke 11:44 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/luke/11-44.htm">Luke 11:44 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/luke/11-44.htm">Luke 11:44 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/luke/11-44.htm">Luke 11:44 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/luke/11-44.htm">Luke 11:44 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/11-44.htm">Luke 11:44 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/11-44.htm">Luke 11:44 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/11-44.htm">Luke 11:44 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/luke/11-44.htm">Luke 11:44 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/luke/11-44.htm">Luke 11:44 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/luke/11-44.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 11:44 Woe to you scribes and Pharisees hypocrites! (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/11-43.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 11:43"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 11:43" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/11-45.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 11:45"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 11:45" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>